Paralegal Diann Prince recently graduated from the Paralegal Program at South Coast College. Her son, Daniel Prince, is a student at 180 wpm in the Court Reporting Program.
Congratulations to you, Diann, for your accomplishment and to Daniel for his accomplishment. (Diane is here in this picture with her twins and son, Daniel.)
Thanks to Allan M. Soto for providing externships for our Paralegal students. The firm has had externs in the past and called today to request another. Thanks again for your support!
Thanks to Ayayo Law Office for providing externships for South Coast College Paralegal students. Diane Prince just completed her externship at Ayayo. Jackie Smith is now beginning her externship with that law office. Thanks for your support!
President Jean Gonzalez of South Coast College indicated that it used to be that the majority of the students in the court reporting came from recommendations from court reporting alumni. Now, it seems to be across the board in all programs — Medical Assisting, Medical Transcription, Paralegal Studies, and Legal Administative Assistant.
It used to also that the court reporting students would just recommend their family and friends to the court reporting program. Now, students from one program recommends family and friends to their program and other programs.
President Jean Gonzalez said that one reason is that all the programs are recognized as being excellent programs, thanks to the stability of the teaching staff in each program and the directors in the respective programs. Ramy Seang, Director of Medical Programs, has done an excellent job of creating an outstanding Medical Assisting Program. Janet James, instructor, and Dr. Florente R. Velasco have created an exceptional medical transcription program that boasts a zero drop out rate consistently and a 100 percent placement rate consistently. Janet James, BA, FHIA, ART, is currently Health Information Manager at UCI Irvine and has brought her expertise in that area to the program. Dr. Velasco has been a medical doctor for many years and shares his expertise with students.
William Dixon, J.D., Director of the Legal Programs, worked for over 20 years at Western State College of Law in both teaching and administrative positions. His contacts in the legal field have resulted in such excellent instructors as the following: Thomas Lo, J.D., Orange County Public Defender; Kathryn Terry, J.D., BSED, one of the foremost immigration attorneys in Orange County; David Manzer, J.D., an attorney who has his own law practice; Emily Cruz, J.D. and A.A. in Paralegal Studies, who knows the law from both the procedural and substantive aspects.
Several of the students from the Paralegal Program or Legal Administrative Assistant Programs at South Coast College find employment or externships at Legal Aid of Orange County. Two who are currently working there are Sandra Tucker and Brittany Griffen.
Thanks to Paralegal graduate of South Coast College, Stephanie Luders for hiring another of our South Coast College recent graduates. Stephie graduated from South Coast College in 1999 and began working at the Law Firm of Lawrence Geller. She has hired two prior South Coast College graduates. Allison Travis is currently working at the firm. Congratulations to Regina Polito who is the most recent graduate to join the firm.
Our thanks to the Law Office of Lawrence of Lawrence Geller for hiring several of our graduates over the years and thanks to Stephanie Luders, Paralegal graduate of South Coast College for setting a great example of professionalism. The quality of your performance has helped instill confidence that future graduates from South Coast College would be of the same quality. You have set the standard very high.
Court reporting student, Kathryn (Katie) Olsen, and Paralegal student, Bonita Chavis-Baranyai, from South Coast College who recently won scholarships from the Orange County Legal Secretaries Association (OCSLA) were graduates of Foothill High School.
Court Reporting student, Kathryn (Katie) Olsen and Paralegal student, Bonita Chavis-Baranyai, attended the Orange County Legal Secretaries Association (OCSLA) awards dinner Thursday, August 6 at the Embassy Suites, Santa Ana.
President Sylvia Marsh called Katie and Bonita to the dais to receive their $1000 scholarship checks and to have their pictures taken with her.
President Marsh noted that when she attended the national convention of 64 legal secretary associations, she was able to report that a record number of scholarship applications had been received, confirming the value of the scholarship program. President Marsh was impressed with the number of South Coast College students who applied for the scholarship and that two of the winners came from our college.
Recipients of OCLSA scholarships are automatically eligible to compete for scholarships from OCSLAs parent organization, LSI. President Marsh announced that both Katie and Bonita were also winners of the additional $1000 LSI scholarships.
For the second year in a row, South Coast College students have won OCSLA scholarships!
Congratulations to KATIE OLSEN and BONITA CHAVIS-BARANYAI!!!
Paralegal Program. The following students graduated with A.A. degrees in Paralegal Studies and Certificates in Legal Administrative Assistant from South Coast College on August 8, 2009:
PARALEGALS
Myra M. Davila, A.A.
Alexis Grant, A.A.
Maile Hall, A.A.
Graciela M. Herrara, A.A.
Tavola Jo Rojas, A.A.
LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
Regina Marie Polito, Certificate
Jamie R. Riggins, Certificate
Allison C. Stoddard, Certificate